Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 505. It ranks #20 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $199.95. The Sennheiser HD 569 ranks #130, rated 1.6/5, at $129.95, $70 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Sennheiser HD 505 is the better-sounding choice. A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 569: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 505. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $70 with the Sennheiser HD 569 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 505 | Sennheiser HD 569 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #20 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #130 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 120 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 505 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- AKG K271 MKII vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 569
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 505: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. The 120 ohm impedance and 107.9 dB per volt sensitivity let it run from a decent DAC or portable amp, and at 237 g the open-back design is light.
Cons: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin. A narrow 9 dB dip near 9.9 kHz and treble running about 2.7 dB low soften cymbals and make it a little dark on airy recordings. Being open-back it leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Sennheiser HD 505 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,030 Hz | +3.9 dB | 2.25 |
| Peak | 84 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 560 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 1,256 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.71 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,218 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 5,479 Hz | -2.6 dB | 4.99 |
| Peak | 4,145 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 6,870 Hz | +2.4 dB | 5.70 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 569: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. A 23 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity make it very easy to drive from a phone. A bass lift of about 5 dB suits listeners who prefer a warm, bassy sound.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled. The warm tilt and bass emphasis can make mixes sound heavy. At 300 g, wired only, it is rated below the Logitech G Pro X and the Jabra Evolve 40.
Full Sennheiser HD 569 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 4,676 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | -1.9 dB | 1.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 280 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 2,195 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,255 Hz | -3.5 dB | 4.88 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.14 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons